This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com

27 February 2015

Kiwi Regional Airlines Announces Plans and Route Network

New player Kiwi Regional Airlines (KRA) has announced plans for regular passenger air services between a series of regional centres in both North and South Islands. The flights will commence towards the end of 2015 or at the start of 2016, initially with two aircraft, and later with a third; to be flown by SAAB 340 34-seater aircraft – a twin-engine, twin-pilot, pressurised aircraft. All flights will be subject to regulatory approval. The starting point of one route is 'North Shore' and will be flown from Whenuapai airbase, subject to RNZAF approval and other consent processes. The joint military-commercial use of RNZAF facilities is already well-established at Blenheim, and Whenuapai itself was such a joint facility for nearly 20 years until 1965. Three routes are planned initially (click here for route map), but KRA Chief Executive Ewan Wilson said "approaches from, and discussions with other regional centres show there is a greater demand, and we are actively considering other possibilities." Mr Wilson said he was "thrilled to be able to offer regional New Zealand important direct routes that have either not been flown before, or are being exited by the national carrier." "Our name says a lot – regional New Zealand has been left off the air route map unless you want to travel to the three largest centres. "We intend to complement existing offerings; to fill the gaps and to make travel between regional centres as fast and affordable as possible. "We will not be competing directly with the national carrier. "As well as improved opportunities for travellers, we expect our operations will create employment and tourism opportunities, and we are in consultation with relevant organisations in the different regions we will service about these opportunities," said Mr Wilson. KRA's corporate headquarters will be in Hamilton, where Mr Wilson is based.

Source : Kiwi Regional Airlines Media Release

NZ's newest airline announces direct routes from regional centres to Auckland, Queenstown and Hamilton. While it still needs to get certification, Kiwi Regional Airlines will aim to be in the sky by the end of the year, with direct flights between Auckland, Hamilton, Nelson, Blenheim and Palmerston North with a connection to Queenstown. The company will be based in Hamilton, and will purchase two Saab 340 34-seater aircraft from Europe for the flights. Snacks and refreshments will be offered, and the service will include a flight attendant.... Wilson said load factor and yield date from Air New Zealand had been provided to the company which had helped determine the routes, which were not being offered by any other carrier as far as he was aware. They include a flight from Auckland, stopping in Hamilton, Nelson, Queenstown to Dunedin, which will fly daily both ways. Flights from Palmerston North to Blenheim, Nelson, Tauranga and the North Shore will also be offered, along with one from the North Shore to Wellington. The direct flights from Blenheim and Palmerston North would run six days a week. Nelson would be served by a morning flight from Queenstown, going on to Hamilton and Auckland with a mid afternoon return. The flight would be part of a route left Dunedin in the early morning, arriving in Auckland around midday before returning on the same route. Another aircraft would provide Nelson-Tasman residents with direct connections to Palmerston North, and an ongoing connection to Tauranga. Wilson said the company had all the funds required to get its operating licence, hire staff, buy planes and set up headquarters in Hamilton thanks to shareholders. Investor 2 Cheap Cars, a used-car importer and retailer, and Nicole Domett, the chief executive of the Aviation and Travel Training Group, have joined Wilson as shareholders.

11 comments:

Palmerston North airport has been very open about its desires to improve regional connectivity with other regions. Palmerston North - Tauranga was a link that was talked up so not too surprised to see it here (along with Palmerston North - Nelson which seems to come and go). Palmerston North - Blenheim seems odd though. Wonder if Dairy Flat could be an option if Whenuapai falls through (as is quiet possible).

Dairy Flat's longest take off distance is 738m, a Saab 340 needs about twice that. It's also not part 139 certificated and many of the hangars and other buildings would probably infringe on the required separation distances from the runway. Looks like it's NZAA or bust! Probably bust though given the clear gaps in assumptions the company seems to be making.

I can't see NZWP being viable. Its a non-certificated aerodrome (no CAA Part 139 Certification), therefore a Part 121 aircraft (Saab340) is limited to 3 movements a month. Who would pay for the application and upkeep of the Part 139? The idea itself seems sound, but the costs and approvals required are the tripping point. NZOH holds 139 only because the International Airlines use it as a alternate when flying into NZAA, and the business case stacked up for the RNZAF.

If he doesn't even understand that Whenuapai is dramatically different then Blenheim then how can he be serious about running an Airline? Firstly it's operational and its military only use has been decided already, secondly Blenheim has an airport terminal that is built outside the actual base, nothing like this exists at Whenuapai so what is his plan for that? Buying land off the government and building a terminal?

I'm more curious as to who they have filling the senior person rolls and where they expect to get Skippers from. New operation, I'd see the CAA wanting Captains with Part 121 experience and time on type (or a similar type) and they won't come cheap. Can't say I'd want to be tied up with the outfit at all.

Nelson Queenstown in a SAAB? Unable to maintain MSA on one engine unless a detour to the Westcoast or to Canterbury? No RNP AR so will be limited to very high minima like the ATR. MC already have a large number of diversions while the RNP AR jets can operate. NS QN is a long way in a small TP, what sort of payload could the aircraft carry? When Air Nelson operated the SAAB through the sea level Napier they regularly had to off load pax to operated to Auckland. What sort of payload can the SAAB lift and meet all the climb requirements on single engine, I doubt it will be very much.

Queenstown operates a slot allocation system for scheduled operators, have they obtained the slots or will they blame Air NZ for that too?